March 16, 2010 — Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood of
Oxford Mills, ON, won the $300,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert,
presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to close out the six-week HITS
Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, on Sunday, March 14.

Navigating a course designed by two-time Olympic course designer Olaf Petersen of Germany that featured a rare quadruple combination, Henselwood was one of seven riders to advance to the jump-off. Bottom Line, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Bradon Construction, went first in the jump-off and posted a clear round in a time of 40.15 seconds. None that followed were able to catch their jump-off time, earning Henselwood $90,000 in prize money, the largest purse in the history of show jumping on the West Coast. New Zealand’s Guy Thomas was second having posted a jump-off time of 40.66 seconds riding Peterbilt.
“I am thrilled to win the final HITS Lamborghini Grand Prix!,” said Henselwood, who was a member of Canada’s silver medal show jumping team at the 2008 Olympic Games. “Going first in the order out of 42 riders meant that I had to make my plan and go with it. In the jump-off, Bottom Line demonstrated her speed and capability over the jumps and we were able to hold on for the win.”

Karen Cudmore of Victoria, BC, and Southern Pride, a 12-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by her husband, Blair Cudmore, also advanced to the jump-off where she was clear in a time of 41.95 seconds for fourth place.

Sydney Olympian John Pearce of Stouffville, ON, and Chianto, a 14-year-old grey Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Alison Moore, had four faults to finish in 12th place.

Yet another Canadian Olympian, John Anderson of Calgary, AB, was presented with the Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider Award, thanks to impressively consistent results throughout the six-week circuit, including two Grand Prix victories riding Terrific, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Craig and Jan Maxwell of Foxdale Farms.

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit http://equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit equinecanada.ca.